Term 2: Week 10

End of Term finish 1pm 28th June

Principal Message….

Dear Parents/Carers,

As we near the end of another exciting term at St Francis, I am thrilled to share with you some highlights of our recent activities and achievements.

Our school disco was a fantastic success! It was heartwarming to see our students dancing and having a great time together. Thank you to Andrea and our dedicated PIP team and staff who made it such a memorable event.

Our PJ day today, was another hit, bringing a cozy and fun atmosphere to the school. It's always wonderful to see our students and staff embracing the spirit of togetherness and relaxation whilst raising money and awareness for great causes.

Throughout the term, our students have been immersed in a variety of enriching learning experiences. From classroom projects to excursions, our commitment to providing a stimulating learning environment has seen many successes and milestones achieved.

Looking ahead to next week, our Year 5 students are eagerly anticipating their upcoming camp . We wish them a week filled with fun, learning, and new friendships.

Please note that our first day back for Term 3 will be a student-free day. Our teachers will be participating in professional development focused on Knowledge Rich Curriculum. This day is crucial for ensuring that we continue to deliver high-quality education that meets the needs of every student.

Thank you for your ongoing support and involvement in our school community. Wishing you all a safe and enjoyable break ahead.

Warm regards,

Michelle

Exploring the Middle Ages: Year 5 Students Share Their Learning

This term, our Year 5 students have been discovering the fascinating world of the Middle Ages. They've explored knights, castles, and medieval life, using an engaging knowledge rich unit adapted from Serpentine Primary. The teachers also implemented their training from The Writing Revolution to help students increase their writing ability. This approach helped them not only learn about history but also improve their writing skills.

To showcase what they've learned, our students hosted a Gallery Walk. During this event, they displayed their projects and shared their discoveries with parents and friends. It's a wonderful opportunity to see how they've brought medieval history to life through their creative work and newfound writing abilities.

School Disco

Thank you to our amazing PIP Team for all of your hard work in organising our Neon School Disco! Everyone had a terrific time getting their glow and their groove on, as we danced the day away at SFA.

MSSP Pyjama Day Fundraiser at SFA.

There were lots of sleepy heads all around St Francis this morning as we popped out of bed and rolled into school for a terrific cause. Together we raised a total of $505.00 for the Missionary Society of St Paul (Mssp), to help them continue their wonderful work of helping those most in need around the world. We ask that you continue to pray for Fr Jude, Fr John and their fellow Paulist Missionaries who were founded by Joseph De Piro, to spread God's dream for the world and all humanity.

Evidence Based Reading Assessments

In 2022 we shifted to an evidence-based assessment for reading. This assessment gives a score that can be used to check if a student is at risk of Reading Difficulty and we then target these students for additional support from teachers or in intervention programs. We can also use this data to assess whether the changes we are making to English teaching are having a positive impact on student achievement.

We were extremely pleased to see student progress in our latest round of assessment. The graph below shows the progress of one year level on this assessment over the last 2 and a half years. The first bar shows that 29 students in this group were at risk of reading difficulty at the start of 2022. These are the red and yellow sections of the bar. The right-hand column shows that this same group now has only 10 students at risk, and the number of highly at-risk students has dropped from 16 to just 2. 

This is a remarkable achievement! It demonstrates the dedication and effort our Learning and Teaching Leaders and teachers are putting into their teaching practices, significantly improving our students' reading abilities.

Art Specialist Program led by Kristine Messig

This term, our Year 5 and Year 6 students have delved into the captivating world of Vincent Van Gogh's artistry. Inspired by his vibrant colours and emotive brushstrokes, they have embarked on a journey of creativity and exploration.

From sunflower studies to starry night skies, their own artworks now proudly adorn our school walls, showcasing their unique interpretations and newfound passion for art. Check out some of our budding artists below ⬇️

For the safety and wellbeing of all students, we remind parents and guardians to send any necessary student medication directly to the front office. Students are not permitted to keep medication in their bags.

This policy ensures that all medications are stored securely and administered safely by our school nurse. Please label all medications with your child's name and provide clear instructions for its use.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and healthy environment for our students.

A reminder to log into Operoo by 9.15am, to report your child/ren as absent if they are unwell.

🅿️ We kindly remind all parents and carers to not block the roundabout at Fairview Parade and Daintree Blvd. Blocking this area creates significant safety hazards for our students, pedestrians, and other drivers. Ensuring the roundabout remains clear helps maintain smooth traffic flow and prevents accidents. Please be mindful of road safety and consider the wellbeing of our entire school community when dropping off or picking up your children.

🚨Also, please DO NOT park over driveways, it is illegal and blocks residents from being able to leave. We have been notified that the council is sending parking inspectors on random mornings and afternoons to book drivers, as they have received many complaints from the residents around our school.

Let's work together to keep our roads safe and accessible for everyone. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.